Written by Amanda Hourt
The Benson Auditorium, Sears Hall and Harding Academy were renovated this summer by Harding’s Physical Resources department together with sub-contractors, said Danny DeRamus from Physical Resources.
It was the first time for Sears to be renovated and the first time that the Benson’s seats were recovered. Both the Benson and Sears were constructed in the 1970s.
DeRamus described the renovation process as an ant farm, “with everybody moving, going different directions.”
DeRamus said the Benson, Sears Hall and Harding Academy all had to be renovated over the summer, because those buildings are used during the school year. The Vice-President and Dean of Students, David Collins said that all the changes were necessary.
“In the Benson we had several seats that were not in good condition. There were some seats that were broken and needed to be changed, needed to be improved,” Collins said.
Patrick Baird, a senior who helped with the renovations as a summer job, said he saw firsthand the need for change.
“I don’t think people realized how nasty it really was,” Baird said.
One hundred fifty new seats were added to the Benson, taking the Benson to top capacity, Collins said. He said he hopes that there will be enough seats to only have one chapel for the next several years.
The Benson renovations started early in July and took just over a month to be completed, DeRamus said.
Harding Academy has a new wing, and its auditorium was added onto and has some new seats, said Baird.
Baird said the deadlines were frustrating, and DeRamus added that it was difficult to get everything done on time.
Despite all the long hours, Baird also said that all the appreciation from people has helped him see the experience in a positive way.
DeRamus said the renovations went smoothly due to the group’s solid plan.
“We had a good plan, we stuck with the plan, and it proved itself,” DeRamus said.
